Asian Eye Bandhani

by JenniferT on September 25, 2011 · 3 comments

in Asian Eye,Scarves,Shopping

If you have been in the store, then you know exactly what these are. For those of you who aren’t familiar with what Bandhani, please, allow me to inform you:

Bandhani (pronounced bon’ duh nee), one of the world’s oldest textile decoration techniques, is still crafted in remote villages of the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Bandhani was discovered by the West in the 18th and early 19th centuries thru demand for exports of Indian-made silk handkerchiefs which have come to be known as bandannas.

Bandhani, whose name is derived from the Hindi word for tying up, is an ancient form of tie and dye. A skilled craftswoman, with the aid of a long-grown finger-nail or a spiked finger ring, pushes the silk upwards from below to form a tiny peak. She then deftly wraps the tip with a fine cotton thread to create a dot the size of a pin’s head. One at a time, dot by dot, a precise and intricate pattern materializes.

Once the tying is done, the silk is handed over to the dye artisan, who gently dips the piece into a vat of color. The untied areas accept the dye, while the tightly bound dots retain the original color. The process may be repeated several times, with subsequent courses of tied dots, then dye dips. Finally, once dry, the threads are unraveled to liberate the design and display the distinctive dimpled, elastic texture of Bandhani. The triumph of expert craftsmanship is revealed! Small wonder it is considered auspicious to wear a piece of Bandhani. A limited selection of Bandhani masterpieces, all created on pure silk, is available from the private collection of Asian Eye.

Very interested, there’s something so magical about these that I am in love with.  These make a perfect gift! Colorful, elegant and one of a kind!

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Pure: Fabulous For Fall

by JenniferT on September 23, 2011 · 0 comments

in Pure,Scarves,Seattle,Shopping,Sweaters

Today marks the official first day of fall. But if you are in Seattle right now, it definitely does not look or feel that way. Lucky us! But we’ve got to face the facts people, Seattle has a major case of Bipolar Disorder when it comes to weather, it gets cold here. Sun, rain, hail, cloudy….I think Katy Perry also sang a song about indecisiveness.  Anyway, I have something great to show and tell you! Pure has some really amazing wraps and scarves for fall.


We’ve got this handy dandy, instructional chart to help you out with all the different fabulous and fun ways to wear them.  Come on in and try one on, they are pretty popular and are moving quite quickly. These also would be a really fantastic gift.

We hope to see you soon!

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Fabulous Fall Delivery From Cameleon Jackets

by JenniferT on September 6, 2011 · 0 comments

in Cameleon Jackets,Seattle,Shopping

I really hate to jinx this amazingly beautiful Seattle weather we’ve been blessed with, but all good things must come to an end. But until then, let us enjoy what we have because as you know, in Seattle these beautiful days are a rarity. With that being said, the inevitable,  fall is nearing upon us. Sad I know, but the happy/fantastic news is that we have a lovely shipment in from Cameleon Jackets.

Cameleon Jackets are really quite something fabulous! They create two line of fall/winter jackets. One line is their wool/wool blend which is a wool line is a blend of their love of prints and textures along with an easy fitting style and one in the ever-so-loved Polartec® fleece.

Here’s a tid bit of information from their site:

About Us We are Carolyn & Kristin and we are Cameleon. Carolyn has always had a passion for textiles and sewing. She started sewing as a young girl, learning everything she knew from her mother, our beloved Oma. So, in the late 1980’s when she was laid off from her 20 year career in teaching, she created a line of wearable knits and started Cameleon. Fast forward to 2005, we took the suggestion of a sales rep we knew to start selling jackets we had been creating for our own store to other stores. The rest, as they say, is history!

Also, the jackets are manufactured in the United States from our own lovely Minnesota! So if anyone knows cold, it would be Minnesota to keep you nice and toasty this fall and winter!

Come in and try them on! They are lovely and very well constructed.

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Just In! Yasuko Kurisaka: Fall Delivery 1

by JenniferT on July 28, 2011 · 0 comments

in Clothing,Featured,Neighborhood,Seattle,Shopping,Uncategorized,Yasuko,Yasuko Kirasaka

The "Corina" Jacket

When I first started working here at Simple Life one of the lines that really grabbed my attention was Yasuko Kurisaka. Of course on an aesthetic level, the tops are just amazingly beautiful, well constructed and functional. As I learned more about the brand I then learned this:

“Yasuko Kurisaka clothes are designed with five principles in mind; natural fibers, health, comfort, aesthetics and design.”

As a consumer, as someone with a fashion and marketing background this simple line from their mission statement made me love the line even more so. One thing I really do love about Yasuko is that the garments are hand-woven and hand-spun.

The "Dana" Jacket

Which is why I’m so excited to inform you that we just got our first shipment of Yasuko Kurisaka in for fall. The lovely colors for the first fall delivery are just magnificent!

***A fun fact for you: The Yasuko Kurisaka “Cathy” Jacket is named after one of our employees!!! No joke, ask us about the coat and the story the next time you are in the store.

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SALE! SALE! SALE!

by JenniferT on July 26, 2011 · 0 comments

in Clothing,Sale,Seattle,Shopping,URU Designs

Yes! You’ve read right, we are having a sale.  As July is coming to a close and August is creeping up on us, we are having a sale to free up some space for our fall shipments.  Simple Life is happy to announce that our  URU spring colors are 30% off! If you aren’t familiar with URU it is a hand-dyed embossed machine washable silk.

Now we know that you may have questions about wearing spring like colors in fall. What’s great about URU is that the fabric is thin, soft and perfect for layering. A lot of the tops can be worn as your accent color. In the last photo, the tops are in a Sienna color, which has been a projected color of popularity for fall’s color palette. So not only do you have your accent colors of pop for fall on sale, but you’ve also got a fashion trending color.

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Favorite Item Of The Week

by JenniferT on July 20, 2011 · 0 comments

in Asian Eye,Scarves,Shopping

What I personally love about this Asian Eye scarf is that despite the summer we are having here in Seattle, I feel like this particular scarf  exudes just that. Summer. The red flowers remind me of Hibiscus flowers on tropical islands such as Samoa, Hawai’i and Tahiti.  Oh, just let a girl can dream of some heat, will ya?  Oh, ok I’ll snap out of it and get back to business. This lovely Asian Eye scarf is set at a very reasonable price which would be perfect as a gift, or a keeper for yourself. $28 for a soft viscose scarf is a treat for anyone.  I hope you enjoyed my favorite item of the week! Come by and pick one up while they last.

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Just In! URU and Kleen

by JenniferT on July 10, 2011 · 0 comments

in Clothing,Kleen,Shopping,URU Designs

* Shown above: (LEFT) Asian Eye' EAZY' scarf, Kleen Tux Front Jacket, Fridaze Asymmetrical Top Flip Collar shirt, Kleen Crop Pop Pant. (RIGHT) Asian Eye 'SQUINT'' scarf , Kleen V Tucks Tank, Kleen long sleeve Big Shirt and the Kleen Pull on Skirt.

If you have been in the store within the last couple of days then you know that we’ve recently received shipments from URU and Kleen!  If you haven’t been in the store, then here’s your reminder along with some merchandise shots.  We’ve received some great color ways of your favorite styles of URU, and since we are on the subject we are offering a special buy one, get the second one 25% off!

All time favorite URU classic, the Catalina in Grass.

So difficult to think ahead to fall when it feels like our summer in Seattle  has finally arrived.  However, we received a fall shipment from Kleen on Friday.  Half of the pieces are in a lovely silk and linen blend with warm rich colors fitting perfectly with fall.  The other half of this delivery is in that lovable viscose and spandex blend.

Kleen V-Neck top and Long Tie Up Skirt in Bramble.

Drop in and take a look at the rest of the shipments from each vendor! We’ve got some gems!

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Get A Head Start On Your Fall Wardrobe!

by JenniferT on July 8, 2011 · 0 comments

in Asian Eye,Clothing,Shopping


We just received a large and lovely shipment of Asian Eye scarves! I know it is a little difficult to think ahead when our Seattle summer has just begun, however, Asian Eye is pleased to present their Fall/Winter 2011/2012 collection.  Indulge yourself in the warmth of wools, the shimmer of silks — we know you will appreciate their unique vision of affordable luxury!

Don’t wait too long, these beauties are already flying off the racks!

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4th of July Recipes

by JenniferT on June 28, 2011 · 1 comment

in Uncategorized

With the celebration of our country’s day of independence a week away, we here at the Simple Life wanted to share with you our top 5 Independence Day recipes. These simple recipes are sure to have you and your guests’ taste buds booming more so than the fireworks!

1.) Chilled Watermelon Steaks with Feta and Basil Vinaigrette


Ingredients:
6 slices watermelon 4″ x 4″ x 3/4″
2 Tablespoons crumbled Feta cheese
15 leaves fresh basil, chopped (or chiffonade)
1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
?
Directions:
1. Arrange watermelon “steaks” on a plate, as desired.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil, salt, pepper and garlic.  (Alternatively you can blend these ingredients in a small food processor to emulsify the mix…but I really don’t use big words so early in the week.  I usually stick to four-letter words or less on a Monday.
3.  Drizzle balsamic dressing over watermelon steaks. Sprinkle with feta crumbles.
Thank you Rabbit Food Rocks for yet another delicious, healthy recipe!
2.) Patriotic Chips and Salsa


I was shopping this past weekend and saw the most fantastic Freedom Chips {Red, White & Blue Tortilla Chips}. They pair perfectly with my homemade chunky salsa and will make a fantastic addition to our Fourth of July celebration menu. If you can’t find these festive chips you could substitute blue corn tortilla chips mixed in with traditional corn tortilla chips.
Ingredients:
6 large fresh tomatoes – petite diced
2 cloves of garlic – minced
1  onion (red or white) – minced
1  lime – juiced
2 tablespoon fresh cilantro – roughly chopped
2 small jalapeno – seeded and minced
salt/pepper to taste

*Depending on how many guests you are expecting, exceed the given ingredients.

Directions:
1. Into a bowl add: tomatoes, garlic, onion, lime juice, cilantro and jalapeno. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Serve with tortilla chips.

3.) Barbecue Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs


Ingredients:
4 beef hot dogs, we like Nathan’s or Hebrew National
2 slices of bacon, apple wood smoked if you have that available.
1/2 cup honey barbecue sauce
Chopped onions, mustard, relish, Sriracha, cream cheese…or any other condiment you enjoy with your dogs.

*Depending on how many guests you are expecting, exceed the given ingredients.

Directions:
Slice the bacon in half lengthwise.  Wrap one of the strips of bacon around each hot dog.  Place on a cookie sheet and bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the hot dog is browned.   Serve on hot dog buns with your favorite toppings.

4.)  Santa Maria-Style Tri-Tips


Ingredients:
1 beef tri-tip roast (about 2 lbs)
2 tabelspoons olive oil
4 to 5 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper

*Depending on how many guests you are expecting, exceed the given ingredients.

Directions:
Trim excess fat from the roast, but leave a little fat on one side so the meat stays moist and tender during grilling. Rub the tri-tip all over with oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Marinate in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours (30 minutes at a bare minimum), or overnight for more flavor.

Sear meat over flames for 2 to 3 minutes on each side to get a nice, dark crust and seal in juices. Cook for another 20 to 30 minutes over low heat to the desired degree of doneness. (Check with a meat thermometer. Roasts go from rare to well-done very quickly, within 10 minutes.)

Remove tri-tip from heat and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice into thin slices and serve with salsa or barbecue sauce.

5.)  Lime Ginger Fizz

Serves 12 gen­er­ously

Ingredients:
1–12 ounce con­tainer frozen limeade
4 cups gran­u­lated sugar
8 cups water
Club soda or pellegrino
Gin­ger syrup
Limes for gar­nish and extra fla­vor if desired

Directions:
Heat the water and sugar in a saucepan just until dis­solved.  Add frozen (or thaw it first–doesn’t really matter!) limeaid and mix well. Pour into non-reactive con­tain­ers and freeze sev­eral hours. Trans­fer from freezer to fridge 30 min­utes or so before serv­ing to slightly soften. Either mix entire amount in a large punch powl with club soda, or scoop indi­vid­u­ally into glasses and add club soda to taste. Driz­zle desired amount of gin­ger syrup onto mixed drink, gar­nish and serve

Please feel free to copy, paste and print these simple recipes!  HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

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Summerize your wardrobe at Simple Life

by roger on June 13, 2011 · 0 comments

in Asian Eye,Bryn Walker,Scarves

While the weather in Seattle is as fickle as the Mariners’ records, next week marks the official start of summer on the calendar. This can mean challenges in the wardrobe department as you may find your clothes are more geared toward the colder winter months. Fear not, you can “summerize” your wardrobe without having to spend a fortune. Stock up on a few wardrobe staples and get creative with your bright colors and lighter fabrics.

First, get out those white and cream-colored items in your wardrobe. While the old rule about wearing white after Labor Day no longer applies, summer is still the perfect time for white. Of course, you’ll want to coordinate white-colored items with colored accessories to spice up your ensemble.

This stylish tunic from the Bryn Walker collection is perfectly paired with lightweight blue Bryn Walker casbah pants and a beautiful Asian Eye scarf.

Of course, summer is also all about bright colors. There’s nothing like a coral or pink top to compliment a summer tan.

This scoop neck top from Cut Loose is made from lightweight linen so you’ll stay cool in the heat. It’s shown here with a handcrafted petite scarf from Asian Eye, a perfect summer accessory.

Beige and nude-colored clothes were all over the runway this spring and are most flattering on medium and olive skin tones. Beige clothing is a great way to showcase bright jewelry or for those who don’t care for bolder colors.

This wheat-colored tunic from Citron Bleu is lightweight and looks great with a signature Asian Eye scarf.

The word “shorts” can strike fear into the heart of any woman. It’s nearly impossible to find just the right pair. Too short won’t do, but too long or too baggy isn’t flattering on anyone. The trick is to choose a simple pair of shorts with sleek lines, ideally cut slightly above the knee, which will make you appear tall and thin. A shipment of Pacificotton walk shorts will be arriving at Simple Life this month.

And when the time comes for that much-anticipated vacation, you’ll want to pack the swimsuit coverup for those sunny afternoons lounging by the pool sipping fruity drinks and reading your favorite book. If only summer could last all year…

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